Chapter 9

For the span of approximately a week, Jack and Claire find themselves in the midst of reevaluating the very dynamics of their farm and household. A newfound sense of caution was apparent in their every move, as if they were navigating a minefield of potential mishaps. In a bid to prevent any further bizarre incidents, they went to great lengths to ensure that their beds were situated at the farthest distance from each other within the confines of their shared space.

The events of that unexpected night had taught them a rather vivid lesson. While the unintentional union had brought the townsfolk together in celebration, Jack and Claire were now bent on avoiding any such situations in the future. As a result, they try their hardest to stay away from each other except to eat and clean the home they share.

The touch of liquor, once a friendly companion to their social endeavors, was now seen with a wary eye. The mere thought of it sent ripples of unease down their spines, as if any hint of the potent elixir could conjure up a whirlwind of unintended consequences. It was no longer just about avoiding drunken mishaps, but rather about safeguarding their sanity and the stability of their daily routines. Jack and Claire, perhaps for the first time in their farming journey, were learning the art of moderation the hard way.

They also couldn't help but notice a subtle shift in the demeanor of the Mineral Town residents. It was as if the accidental union had cast a spell on their interactions, transforming what was once playful banter, sharing gifts, and coy glances into a more distant and respectful approach. The days of young men and women vying for Jack and Claire's attention seemed to have vanished overnight. The allure of their single status, which had once attracted flirtations and attempts at courtship, was replaced with the newfound aura of a married couple.

It was a change that Jack and Claire felt differently, yet it was hard for them to put into words. No longer were they the new eligible bachelors of Mineral Town, and the once-vibrant atmosphere of romantic intrigue had simmered down. Conversations with the townsfolk had become more centered on farming and communal matters, leaving behind the blushes and giggles that had once colored their exchanges.

Amidst this transformation, there was one notable exception – Popuri. She continued to treat Jack with the same lively camaraderie that had defined their friendship. Her demeanor provided a thread of normalcy, a comforting reminder that some things remained unchanged even in the midst of the chaos of their marriage.

At the end of that week, Claire finds herself stepping out of the farm and strolling through the familiar roads of Mineral Town. As she walks, her thoughts are a whirlwind of recent events and the oddities that have accompanied her accidental marriage to Jack. Unbeknownst to her, her perplexed expression doesn't go unnoticed by two of the town's familiar faces – Karen and Mary. The pair exchange a knowing glance before deciding to catch up with Claire.

"Hey Claire, how's married life treating you?" Karen's voice carries a playful tone as they walk together.

“I hate it,” answered Claire. “This was the worst mistake of my life, I swear never to drink a drop ever again.”

“Hey, don’t blame the booze!” said Karen. “I get drunk every night, and you don’t see a ring around my finger.”

“Um, Karen. That’s not something to be proud of,” said Mary.

“By the way, where are you going?” asked Karen.

“I’m headed to the clinic.”

“Why, are you sick?” asked Mary.

Claire comes to a sudden stop, her steps hesitating as if caught in an unexpected crosswind. The world around her seems to hush, enveloped in a hushed stillness that mirrors her own uncertainty. Her fingers fidget nervously, a telltale sign of her inner turmoil. As she takes a deep breath, her gaze shifts between the two women before her – Karen and Mary – as if seeking a lifeline in their understanding eyes.

And then, like the gentle flush of dawn spreading across the sky, a subtle blush graces her cheeks. She opens her mouth, the words seemingly tiptoeing on the edge of her tongue, until they finally tumble out in a soft, almost bashful tone. "I'm a little... late."

Karen's eyes widen slightly, her playful demeanor giving way to a momentary expression of surprise. On the other hand, Mary's features soften, her understanding gaze conveying empathy and a readiness to listen.

Karen's voice breaks the silence "Late? You mean that you’re?"

“Oh geez, I hope not! Getting married to Jack is already bad enough. I’ll kill him if I find out that I’m having his baby!”

Karen puts a supporting hand on Claire’s shoulder and says, “don’t stress so much about it. You and Jack will learn to get along eventually. My parents can’t stand each other to this day, and they still find some way to get along and not kill each other.”

“That’s not something to be proud of either,” said Mary.

At the clinic, Karen and Mary bid Claire farewell, leaving her to tend to her personal matters. Inside the clinic's walls, Claire takes a steadying breath before approaching the Doctor's desk. With a mix of nerves and determination, she explains the situation to him, her words laced with a sense of vulnerability.

The Doctor listens attentively, his professional demeanor tempered by a touch of empathy. He nods as Claire speaks, showing both understanding and patience. Once she finishes, he offers her a reassuring smile and takes the sample she provides, promising to have it tested promptly. As he disappears into the back of the clinic, Claire is left to contend with her racing thoughts.

Time stretches out as Claire occupies a seat in the clinic's waiting area, the minutes seemingly elongated by her restless anticipation. Her mind whirls with the possibilities, the weight of her potential reality pressing down on her. She can't help but entertain the thought of what it would mean if the results were to confirm her suspicions – a baby on the way.

As she fiddles with her fingers, her gaze drifts to a window overlooking the tranquil scenery of Mineral Town. The gentle sway of the trees seems to mirror the ebb and flow of her emotions. The prospect of becoming a parent, of navigating the already complex dynamic between her and Jack with the added complexity of parenthood, feels like a puzzle with missing pieces.

A soft sigh escapes her lips as she leans back in her chair. It's a sigh born of uncertainty, of grappling with the unknown. Claire's thoughts spiral, bouncing between the terror of a new chapter and the anxiety of uncharted territory. She wonders how she would manage the responsibilities of the farm, the demands of a child, and dealing with the complexities of her relationship with Jack.

The sound of footsteps draws her attention, and the Doctor returns. “Well Claire, I have some bad news for you.”

Her heart sinks while a wave of unease washes over her. The thought of breaking the news to Jack hangs heavy in her mind, an impending conversation that seems as daunting as scaling a mountain. Simultaneously, the notion of escape flits through her thoughts, the idea of fleeing with her child to escape the complexities of sharing a life with Jack momentarily tempting her. Yet, the stark reality of single parenthood, coupled with the overwhelming uncertainty of this situation, pulls her back to the gravity of her choices, her mind a whirlwind of conflicting emotions.\

“I’m afraid that you are not pregnant this time. You’re just dealing with a lot of stress. But don’t worry, you are quite young, and you will have many chances of starting a family,” said the Doctor.

“YOU THOUGHT I WAS TRYING TO GET PREGNANT ON PURPOSE!!!!????” shouted Claire.

The Doctor checks his clipboard and says, “I don’t understand. Isn’t that why you’re here?”

She takes the clipboard and tosses it against a wall, scattering the pages. With a threatening tone, she says, “listen to me you dumb quack! I will never let that man touch me ever again! You can put that in your medical records!” She then leaves the clinic stomping with frustration, slamming the door behind her.

“What a strange couple,” said the Doctor.

Back at the house, a surge of relief washes over Claire as she learns that she won't be facing the challenge of having a child with Jack. With a newfound sense of resolution, she silently decides to keep this awkward fact hidden, choosing not to disclose her visit to the clinic to Jack. The weight of the secret feels heavy, yet she finds solace in the thought that at least Popuri is unaware; the last thing she needs is having Popuri inadvertently revealing her secret to Jack.

The next day unfolds with Jack and Claire sharing a strangely subdued meal, their unspoken tensions still lingering in the air. The silence is abruptly shattered by a firm knock on the front door. Jack glances at Claire and rises from his seat, his curiosity piqued as he heads to the door. Outside stands Saibara, the village blacksmith, holding a small, unassuming box in his hands.

Saibara extends the box towards Jack, his gruff demeanor softened slightly as he remarks, "Here's the order. Sorry it took longer than expected, but it was a last-minute request."

Jack's brows furrow in confusion as he takes the box. He retorts, "I didn't place any order recently. What is this?"

With a gruff chuckle, Saibara explains, "Well, Mayor Thomas was the one who put in the request. Not my business, though. Anyway, job's done. Give my regards to the missus."

As Saibara turns to leave, Jack's patience wears thin. Frustration etches across his features, and without a word of goodbye or gratitude, he promptly closes the door on Saibara's retreating figure. The mysterious box sits in his hands, its contents a puzzle waiting to be unraveled.

Jack places the box on the table and takes a seat. Claire looks at the box asking, “what is that?”

“No idea. Saibara dropped it off. Said that Thomas ordered it for us. I wonder what is is.”

Jack's curiosity gets the better of him, and he carefully opens the box, revealing its contents. A gasp of surprise escapes both him and Claire as their eyes fall upon the dazzling sight before them. Nestled within the box are two exquisite golden rings, each intricately designed and meticulously crafted. It's a sight that leaves them momentarily speechless, their surprise mingling with a mix of emotions that they can't quite decipher.

With a sense of wonder, Claire gingerly picks up the smaller of the two rings, her fingers tracing the elaborate pattern etched onto its surface. The craftsmanship is undeniable, and the rings seem to tell a story of their own through the eyes of the townspeople of Mineral Town. The realization hits them simultaneously: these rings are meant to be their wedding bands, symbols of a bond they never intended to forge.

"They're beautiful," Claire murmurs, her eyes fixed on the delicate contours of the gold ring resting in her hand. Her voice carries appreciation as she studies the intricate craftsmanship that has gone into its creation. "I guess this one is mine?"

Reacting almost instinctively, Jack gently reclaims the ring from Claire's hand and carefully places it back within the velvet-lined box. He closes the lid, his expression unreadable, and then hefts the box, heading toward the front door of the house. Claire, a mixture of curiosity and bewilderment, follows in his wake, her gaze never leaving the small box.

"What are you planning to do with those?" Claire inquires, her voice laced with curiosity as she watches Jack's movements.

Jack turns to look at her, a hint of wryness in his smile. "You planning on wearing your ring?" he counters.

The question catches Claire off guard, and she finds herself momentarily speechless. Her thoughts drift to the implications of donning the ring – a visual acknowledgement of their unexpected union. "No," she replies after a pause, her tone resolute.

Without further ado, Jack steps outside, and Claire follows suit, the crisp Fall air of Mineral Town surrounding them. She observes as Jack approaches the shipping bin, placing the box inside. His matter-of-fact gesture and the words he mutters suggest a pragmatic approach to dealing with these rings, an attempt to recoup some of the costs from their unintended wedding.

As Jack heads back to the fields, Claire lingers by the shipping bin, gazing at it for a moment longer. The allure of the rings is undeniable, but their symbolism feels far too complex for her to embrace. With a sigh, she turns away, leaving the box behind and returning to her own tasks, a mixture of emotions swirling within her as she contemplates the twist of fate that has bound their lives together.

The next day finds Jack and Claire once again sharing a quiet meal, the atmosphere heavy with unspoken tension. The rings, which had been taken away by Zack, now rest in his absence, adding an odd sense of emptiness to the room. A lingering doubt nags at both of them, a silent question of whether selling those rings was the right decision. Yet, pride and stubbornness prevent either of them from voicing their uncertainty.

The rhythm of their meal is disrupted by a familiar sound – a knock on the front door. Jack pushes his chair back, rising with a sigh as he heads to answer the door. Zack stands on the other side, holding the box in his hands. With an apologetic grin, Zack explains how he found the box nestled among the crops that morning, suggesting that it might have been accidentally dropped there.

Jack's response is laced with dripping sarcasm, his frustration evident as he mutters a begrudging "thanks."

Zack, however, remains unfazed, his genial demeanor still intact. "You're welcome," he replies with a hearty smile, undeterred by Jack's tone. "Just wanted to remind you how lucky you are to have Claire as your wife. Wishing you two all the best!"

The door closes with a firm slam, Jack's annoyance at Zack's well-intentioned interference only growing from the previous day. Left once more with the box and its contents, Jack places it back on the table, a mixture of exasperation and contemplation in his eyes. It's clear that selling the rings is no longer a viable option, but figuring out what to do with them is an equally daunting task. As the two farmers stare at the box, a new challenge presents itself – finding a solution that doesn't magnify the already absurd predicament they find themselves in.

“So what do we do now?” asked Claire.

“Simple,” said Jack.

Taking the box in his hands, Jack moves purposefully towards the trash can in the kitchen. Claire's heart sinks as she observes his actions, her gaze fixated on the box containing the rings. The sound of the box hitting the bottom of the trash can resonates in the room, the finality of the action sending a pang through her. With determined resolve, Jack ties up the garbage bag, ready to be disposed of outside. Claire trails behind him as they step outside the house.

Watching Jack toss the bag into the trash bin, Claire experiences a mix of emotions. The physical act of discarding the box with the rings, a representation of their accidental marriage, strikes a chord deep within her. Even though she's not particularly thrilled about being married to Jack, the thought of their union being reduced to nothing more than common refuse feels oddly unsettling. Yet, she remains silent, her own ambivalence towards the situation echoing in her mind.

Despite her reservations, Claire soon redirects her focus to her daily tasks on the farm, willing herself to push aside the unsettling thoughts brought on by the rings. As she busies herself with her work, she tries her best to compartmentalize the complexities of the situation, suppressing the emotions stirred by the discarded symbols of their unintended marriage. In the end, Claire can only hope that as time passes, the weight of the rings and what they represent will become a little easier to bear.

The next day arrives, casting Jack and Claire once again into a silent meal that is overshadowed by the unspoken burden of their discarded rings. As they eat, the weight of Jack's decision lingers heavily in the air, a palpable reminder of the complex predicament they find themselves in. Both of them silently hope that time will eventually lead the townsfolk of Mineral Town to forget about their accidental union, allowing them to blend back into the community as single individuals, provided they abstain from wearing the rings that have become a symbol of their unwanted bond.

In the midst of their meal, an all too familiar sound interrupts their uneasy quietude – a knock on the front door. With a sigh, Jack rises from his seat, responding to the interruption. As he opens the door, Mayor Thomas stands outside, holding the same box that was once carelessly discarded.

With a cheerful smile, Thomas presents the box, “Good day Jack,” says Mayor Thomas. “The trash men found this in your bin, they think you accidentally dropped it, so they recovered it for you and gave it to me.”

Jack takes the box back, a hint of sarcasm in his voice as he says, “accidental. . .Right. Thanks a lot.”

“No problem. We all look forward to the success of your farm and your marriage.”

Jack slams the door in Thomas’ face, his frustrating only grows each time the rings come back to him. As the box finds its place on the table once more, Jack and Claire exchange a glance filled with suspicion and exasperation. The possibility of the rings being a kind of recurring curse or a mischievous game from the townsfolk takes root in their minds, adding an even more surreal layer to their already absurd situation. With the town's persistent efforts, the rings seem to have transformed into a haunting presence, a constant reminder that they are far from being able to simply move on.

"What do we do? It’s like the whole town is conspiring for us to be together," said Claire.

"It looks like we’re going to need to take a more drastic approach," he asserts, his voice holding a newfound decisiveness.

Taking the rings out of the box, Jack strides purposefully toward the bathroom. Intrigued yet unsure, Claire follows him, her curiosity piqued. As the sound of the toilet flushing reaches her ears, a flicker of realization dawns upon her. She rushes to the bathroom in haste, just in time to witness Jack drop the rings, vanishing into the swirling waters. Panic surges within her, a desperate instinct urging her to retrieve the lost symbols of their accidental union, but her efforts are in vain.

In a whirlwind of emotions, Claire turns to Jack, her frustration boiling over. "Jack, what the hell is wrong with you! I hate this marriage just as much as you do, but this is taking things too far!" Her words crackle with anger and disbelief, the culmination of weeks of absurdity reaching its zenith.

Jack remains unmoved, his determination unshaken by Claire's outburst. He turns and walks away, his back to her, a silent acknowledgment of his firm resolve. Claire is left standing there, a mixture of emotions swirling within her. As much as she resents the notion of their marriage, the sight of the rings being unceremoniously discarded in such a manner ignites a peculiar blend of feelings she can't quite decipher.

While she might not like the idea that her marriage is literally flushed town the toilet, their disappearance signals a definite break from the town's persistent efforts to bind them together, offering a modicum of solace amidst the chaos. Hopefully this time, they stay gone, and she can finally put the marriage into their past.

In the following days, Jack and Claire find themselves finally able to exhale, a semblance of relief settling over them. The absence of the rings brings a sense of normalcy, an interlude from the chaos that has become their lives. But just as they begin to believe that the symbols of their accidental union are finally gone for good, fate has other plans.

One day, a knock at the door shatters their fragile peace. Jack and Claire share a disbelieving look, the echoes of their past ordeal resurfacing in an instant. "You cannot be serious!" Jack's voice resonates with both frustration and incredulity as he strides toward the door, his steps heavy with anticipation.

Outside stands Greg the fisherman, his presence unexpected yet strangely fitting given the absurdity that has plagued their lives. "Hey Jack, how’s it going?" Greg's tone is casual, as if he's unaware of the storm he's about to bring into their lives. "I was fishing this morning, and I found these while I was cooking my catch." With a nonchalant gesture, he places the rings into Jack's hand, the very rings that they thought were lost forever. "They were in the belly of the fish I caught. I figured that they were yours."

Disgust and disbelief colors Jack's expression. "Oh, that’s disgusting! Seriously, the sea water?" he exclaims, his voice laced with outrage and resignation. "Well, at least I now know why there’s so much trash in the water."

As they sit at the table once again, the rings resting in plain view, Jack and Claire share a silent moment of incredulity. The sheer persistence of these rings defies logic, the boundaries of reality seemingly bent around their plight. Claire shudders, a shiver of unease coursing through her as the rings stare back at her, a tangible reminder of the bizarre bond they've been unwillingly thrust into. "Okay, this is too weird, even for Mineral Town."

As their gazes remain locked on the haunting rings, Jack and Claire are faced with a conundrum. A bizarre set of circumstances has left them with few viable options. Selling them, tossing them away, and even flushing them down the toilet have all proven futile. The notion of destroying the rings arises, but it's quickly dismissed as they exchange wary glances, the fear of what could possibly happen if they tried frightens them.

Resigned to their perplexing fate, Jack takes a deep breath and places the rings back into their box. The clink of gold as it rests against it’s velvet home is strangely final, a decision to contain the enigmatic force these rings seem to possess. "Only one thing left to do," Jack states with determination. "Just because we can’t get rid of them, doesn’t mean we have to wear them."

With a nonchalant gesture, he tosses the box over his shoulder. The small package tumbles through the air before landing inside Claire's beauty box, a seemingly serendipitous closure. The lid clicks shut, encapsulating the rings within. The sudden silence that follows feels almost refreshing, if they don’t have to see them, they can simply forget about them.

As another Fall sun sets over Mineral Town, casting a warm glow across the landscape, Jack and Claire find themselves standing by the window of their home. The events of the past week have left them with an odd mix of emotions—frustration, disbelief, and a hint of camaraderie born out of shared absurdity. The beauty box now sits in the corner, a safekeeping place for the rings that have perplexed them. As Jack and Claire exchange a glance, a soft smile forms on Claire's lips. "You know," she begins, "I never thought I'd see the day when I'd have something in common with you, Jack."

Jack chuckles, a rare sound that warms the air between them. "Yeah, I guess this is one for the books."

In this moment, their differences seem less pronounced, overshadowed by the shared experience that has woven an unexpected experience that forms a bond between them. The night outside deepens, and the stars twinkle like secrets, perhaps hinting at the mysteries yet to unfold. As they stand together, a sense of uncertainty fill the air, an emblem of the unpredictable journey that Jack and Claire's lives now have become.